The Institute of Chinese Modern History is the former Research Institute of Historical Studies, a specialized research unit under the Central China Normal University (CCNU). Being among the first to be entitled to grant master and doctoral degrees after China's restoration of the academic degree system, the institute has been one of the key units for the study of Chinese modern history nationwide. Directly administered by the university, the institute is a key academic organization specialized in modern and contemporary Chinese history.

The first director of the institute is the internationally renowned historian Prof. Zhang kaiyuan. The successive incumbents have been Prof. Liu Wangling, Prof. Luo Fuhui and Prof. Yan Changhong. Presently, Prof. Zhu Ying is the director, with Prof. Yan Changhong as the deputy director. Prof. Zhang Kaiyuan is Director Emeritus.

Since its establishment in 1984, the institute has been highly regarded throughout China for its unique research on the 1911 Revolution. Currently, besides achievements in this field, the institute has been developing several other research directions, such as China's modern economic history, China's early modernization, history of modern Chinese ideology and culture, etc.

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